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SEEMON" 



COMMEMORATIVE OF THE 



GREAT EXPLOSION 



ALLEGHENY ARSENAL, 

AT LAWRENCEVILLE, PENN'A. ON SEPTEMBEH 17TH, 1862. 

PSEACBED BT 

REV- R. LEA, 

PASTOR OF THE LAWRENCEVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

September SSth, 1863. 



PITTSBURGH: 

PBINTB© BY W. 8. HAVEN, CORNER OF WOOD AND TtliRD STREET3. 

1862. 






It has been the wish of many of the hearers of Rev. 

R. Lea to have his Sermon on the great disaster at the 

Allegheny Arsenal published, to which I have obtained his 

consent. 

D. W. H. Stofield. 

LAWRENCEVItLE, Pa. 

Ichns Eopkin'g Univ. Lib. 
Gift 



SERMON 



"Watch, thbrefoke, foe te know bot what uoue yolk Loku doth come." 
Matthew 24 : 42. 

The uncertainty of human life was never more strikingly 
shown in this community than upon the memorable 17th day 
of September, 1862. The morning was calm and beautiful, 
and until noon nothing unusual occurred at the Allegheny 
Arsenal. It was pay day, and the noble Union girls, who had 
toiled all the month, were rejoicing over the reception of the 
fruit of their labor. The shop had beeii swept, and among 
the leavings, some loose powder was scattered over the stony 
road winding around the beautiful gi'ounds. A wagon was 
passing, when either the iron of the wheel or horse's shoe 
struck fire. In an instant a terrific explosion was heard, 
shaking the earth, and inflicting injury upon the surrounding 
buildings. Amidst a dense column of smoke, and a bright 
sheet of flame, were »een fragments of the building, mixed 
with portions of the human frame, rising high into the atmos- 
phere, and then falling in a horrid shower all around. 

Some panic-stricken persons shouted : '' The magazine is on 
tire !" Repeated explosions, and the wild confusion, seemed to 
confirm the awful report. In this dreadful stage some were 
thoughtful and calm — others prayed and wept, while many 
rushed, horror-stricken, they knew not whither. A few stop- 
ped not until they were miles from the scene of danger. Several 
were picked up insensible, and when consciousness returned, 
were unable to tell whither they were going or wherefore they 
had fled. 

But amidst all this dismay and fearful consternation and ap- 
prehension of still worse to come, when the magazine should 
explode, there were many who entered the gates and climbed 
the walls, determined to aid, or die in the attempt. 



4 

The doora of the large building near the entrance to the 
park were closed, and the frantic girls, supposing themselves 
confined for certain burning, without hope of escape, pushed 
and trod upon each other, screaming and leaping from the win- 
dows, seeking avenues of escape, or sitting down in dumb des- 
pair. Strange that more were not mangled here; as it was, 
serious injuries were inflicted, and terror was added to the 
scene. 

But the central terror was the burning laboratory. Here 
one hundred and fifty-six girls were ready to resume their la- 
bors, and were, almost without a moment's warning, wrapped 
in flames, or violently thrown from the building; a few ran, 
or were blown out into the yard, and escaped; some weVe res- 
cued by the daring of friends, but the majority met death in- 
stantaneously — perhaps hardly kuawing the cause of their 
death. The fire was so flerce, the su![)hur so sufl:ocating, that 
an instant was sutficient to extinguish all sensibility. Si)mo 
were dragged from a mass of ruins who had died in each 
other's arms; some were rescued who would recover. A few 
escaped without assistance, who will die of their injuries. 
Some could merely mention their names, or call for a priest, or 
for water, or for prayer, but all upon the ground were naked, 
blackened with powder, roasted, somewhat bloody, and with 
many the resemblance to the human form was completely lost. 
Nothing but masses of flesh and charred bones remaining of 
what, such a short time before, was life and beauty. In most 
instances the skulls of those taken out dead were fearfully 
cracked. The victims lay about upon boards and shutters, 
amidst a horror-stricken crowd, the trees above holding frag- 
ments of female attire, mournfully waving to and fro over 
their former owners. It may be possible that a few were en- 
tirely consumed — not a distinguishable relic being left to testify 
respecting their untimely end. The building was utterly con- 
sumed, and the ashes were carefully raked for every vestige of 
its former occupants. The calamity was so sudden, so crush- 
ing, so wide-spread in its results, and the horrors so varied, 
that the large crowd which assembled seemed overwhchued — 
the usual signs of sharp woe giving way to solemn renitirks or 
the stillness of stupefaction. 



When the fire was utterly subdued, the noise, the turmoil of 
the scene was over, then came the terrible, orderly process of 
identification and burial. A hand was identified outside the 
grounds by a ring upon the finger, a leg by a shoe upon the 
foot ; but in neither case was the former owner of the frag- 
ments found. A parent would bend over some blackened 
corpse, examining minutely form, hair, any relic of dress, and 
then drop down silently if nothing was discovered, or shriek 
wildly if something certainly proved that these changed bodies 
were really the remains of their loved ones. Parts of two days 
these affecting scenes were constantly witnessed, but after all 
the efforts of deeply interested friends and spectators, about 
forty were unrecognized. There they laj', subject to the 
minutest scrutiu}^, yet neither sister nor mother could tell which 
of these they had watched over from infancy, and had so lately 
parted from, with the farewell kiss, for the day, they supposed ; 
but alas ! it was a final adieu. The immense throng of people 
was a distinctive feature of the scene. Cars and all kinds of 
vehicles, loaded to their utmost capacity, and the sidewalks, 
crowded with passers to and fro, led by every imaginable im- 
pulse, irresistibly drawn to the gates within which such a 
fearful tragedy had been acted. The crowd was immense on 
Wednesday and Thursday, and for days continued lessening 
gradually, as though unwilling or unable altogether to escape 
at once from the terrible fascination of the place. 

The Government provided plain black cofiins for the un- 
distinguished remains. The Allegheny Cemetery donated a 
lot suitable for the interment. The bodies were gradually re- 
moved to their place of repose, and about three o'clock on the 
18th, the mighty mass of human beings moved, accompanying 
the last body from the Arsenal to the grave. The mayors of 
both cities were there ; the council and clergy of Lawrence- 
ville ; a number of carriages, and a countless multitude of all 
ages and classes walked in mournful order to the place. 

It was a large, deep pit — unlike, in its vastness, any other 
grave ; planks were laid across it, and from these, coffin after 
coffin was lowered to men below, who placed thirty-nine coffins 
side by side, filled by those whom no one could recognize, but 
whom the whole community adopted and honored as sisters 



and brethren who fell at the post of duty. After the last 
coffin had been lowered, the friends of the deceased were in- 
vited to the front rank, upon the margin of the grave, opposite 
the officiating clergy. Bro. Millar, of the Methodist Church, 
offered a prayer; Dr. Gracey read a portion of the book of 
Job ; Rev. Andrews, pastor of the U. Presbyterian Church, 
prayed ; Rev. Lea, pastor of tbe L. Presbyterian Church, made 
an address, and Rev. Edmonds, of the Episcopal Church, pro- 
nounced the benediction. Blather Gibbs, of the Catholic 
Church, signified his intention of being present, but was officia- 
ting at the same time over the remains of other victims in St. 
Mary's Cemetery, immediately adjoining. The dust was com- 
mitted to dust until the morning of the resurrection, and a 
committee has been appointed to procure funds to erect a suit- 
able monument to their memory. 

Among these unrecognized remains were some dear to their 
own churches for their piety and virtues. They will be missed 
from the house of God. Three were members of this church 
— two by baptism and one by profession. Mr. David Gilleland 
lately came among us — a man of warm, modest piety, who 
loved the house of God — who was almost always at the prayer 
meeting, and who loved to be a spectator, even when not 
teaching in the Sunday School. He will never lead our sing- 
ing again, but we trust that ere now his voice has been heard 
among those who sing around the Throne. Agnes Davidson 
told me, the last time I saw her, that she was for the Union 
— and that she would no longer be a secessionist from the gov- 
ernment of God, and would testify her love to Jesus and the 
Church at our next communion. Mary Davidson, a younger 
sister, left her home that morning, singing a beautiful hymn. 
Both were dutiful at home ; both were loved at the Sabbath 
School, and both would probably have soon been fellow com- 
municants. We hope all three are now with the blessed. 

There are other things which are not so painful to look 
upon. This dark cloud has a silver lining. 

1. Heroic courage was displayed. Men dashed into the 
midst of the burning to save, as dauntless as ever soldiers 
stormed a battery. The walls were scaled, burning fragments 
scattered, shrieking victims carried out, with bravery never 



surpassed, showing that peace and mercy have their heroes, 
without drum and fife, without the word of command or the 
presence of an insulting foe. One poor girl, who barely es- 
caped with life, could hardly be prevented from rushing back 
to find her companion, and when hindered, wended her way 
slowly home, wailing, even upon a bed of pain, that her 
friend was lost. 

2. The firemen of the cities were out with their engines, 
with a promptness truly praiseworthy. Fearing not the prox- 
imity of the magazine, regardless of the repeated explosions 
of the shells and cartridges, they poured their streams upon 
the burning mass as steadily as on a parade, or a common 
conflagration. 

3. Physicians were there, unfe^d, uncalled, with the appli- 
ances of skill, to save or alleviate suffering. Clergymen were 
there, amidst smoke and fire, to point the dying to the Lamb 
of God. 

4. "Women were there, with lint and bandage, with oil and 
wine, with ready hands to soothe and words to encourage. 

All classes were there, to sympathize, to do anything, 
mastering their own feelings as they attempted to console the 
suft'erers. ! it was grand to see the heart of this com- 
munity stirred to its inmost depths. The cloud had a silver 
lining ; the sable pall was fringed with gold. Upon the 
deep back ground of this woe was painted a picture of hero- 
ism and love upon which angels might gaze with admiration. 

"Ye know not what hour your Lord may come." Who 
could have known in the morning that the day would end so 
sadly ? How could those dear girls know that by the grinding 
of a wheel or the dropping of a shell, such dire calamity would 
be instantly brought upon themselves. The opening of a bale 
of strange merchandise let out the "great plague" of London: 
the careless management of a little fire in a small yard started 
the "great fire" of Pittsburgh. We are so linked together; 
our lives or deaths depend so much upon others, over whom 
we have no control, that we should be always ready. A care- 
lessly prepared prescription, a drunken captain or conductor, 
may work harm. Who could foretell what the firing of the 
first gun at Fort Sumter would bring about? It brought about 



8 

remotely, the catastrophe of Wednesday. And who can tell 
what more it may bring? 

Not only are we ignorant of the coming of these events, the 
causes of which we think we can see, but who does not know 
that plagues and cholera are brought upon us when the most 
scientific cannot tell what change the atmosphere has under- 
gone, or whether it be in the atmosphere at all. 

The late Dr. Addison said " that man never made such a 
fool of himself as when he undertook to tell the cause of a 
thing." A thinking man may perhaps see the link which pre- 
cedes an event, and faith may know that it is the Lord that 
" Cometh," as the first cause. But there may be millions of 
uncccn links and influences afiecting and connecting the re- 
sult with God, so that we cannot tell when or how the Lord 
Cometh. 

But there is something better than the knowledge of future 
events, i. e., for a man to be prepared to meet all events, how- 
soever or whensoever they may happen. A true Christian 
only is prepared for fire or flood, battle or consumption. He 
may be surprised and terrified when it comes, but no matter, 
above him unseen angels wait to bear him away. A smiling 
Saviour says. Well done ! God watches his sleeping dust 
through all its changes ; his resurrection is sure ; his eternal 
life certain. Oh ! be Christians, and w^hen the earth, being on 
fire, is dissolving, and the elements are melting with fervent 
heat, you may rejoice and look upward. To the Christian, it 
matters little whether a fearful explosion or Elijah's car of fire 
bears him to glory. 

In conversing with so many dying persons in so short a space 
of time, their final words would naturally leave a deep im- 
pression. One as soon as rescued, exclaimed, "Tell me truly, 
will I die?" You will. "Then cover me and take me out 
of the crowd." Several cried frantically, " Send for a priest." 
One declared that her only hope was in the Mother of God. 
Another said, "I die, but Jesus died for me; I am safe." One 
from a distant town cried almost unceasingly, " God have 
mercy on my poor wicked soul." One murmured indistinctly, 
what sounded like "Glory! glory! " "My poor mother!" "My 
poor children !" were exclamations upon the lips of many. One 



"had done no harm, and hoped that her siiiFering would atone 
for. her sins." A mother said, "I have worked for a living for 
my children, but, sir, if I live I will set them a better example. 
I will take them to your church. I have them baptized, but I 
should have done my duty better. God spare me to my chil- 
dren." These remarks show the feelings of persons of differ- 
ent creeds. When near to eternity, we must in deep agony 
lean upon something, either upon the Almighty Grod, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord, or upon a poor reed. One poor girl 
who escaped with fearful injury, seemed to forget herself en- 
tirely, and exclaimed continually to herself, or others, " My 
poor companion! she perished in the flames: I tried to save 
her, but could not," In the very midst of the awful scene, 
an intelligent physician said, "I heard glorious news just as 1 
left the city, but can hardly tell it here ; M'Clellan has defeated 
the rebels in Maryland, and will, without doubt, kill or capture 
them all." Patriotism for a moment lit the countenances of 
the bystanders with joy; but the smile was like a sudden gleam 
of sunshine across ruins. There was the terror from whieh 
such tidings as this could not divert the mind. Another phy- 
sician exclaimed, "I was all along the Chickahominy during 
the battles, but was not affected as I am here — so unexpected 
— so terrible — and the sufferers, poor girls — the impossibility 
of even relieving them," pointing to some dozen blackened, . 
quivering remains. Those who saw the sight can never for- 
get it. 

Ever since the fatal day, persons have visited the Arsenal, 
either to inquire about the whole occurrence, or in the faint 
hope of learning something of their lost ones. Sometimes 
deeply afiecting scenes are witnessed. The guard, as in duty 
bound, parades backward and forward at the gate, but at the 
approach of a female in black he stands still. True, it is not 
his business, as a soldier — but he is a man. There he stands 
in military aray, his bayonet glittering in the sun. lie will 
answer that women dozens of questions. He will stand as 
long as she questions. If he moves away when she ceases, he 
will stop again and again, at her slightest beck. Duty! Jle 
instinctively feels that it is his duty to tell her all he can. 
whether ordered or not. In a car, one day, sat a woman in 



10 

deep mourning, her presence quieted loud discussion ; no ons 
knew her — she was evidently poor, but all felt that she wae 
entitled to respect. The bell rang — the car stopped. Another 
woman in black entered ; with a wild shriek they rushed into 
each other's arms ; they spoke not, but all knew that they were 
bereaved mothers — going to the Arsenal. One took out a 
large daguerreotype. " There is my once happy group, all are 
Durned but that one." Every hand was extended for it in turn. 
One lady wept more than either of the suiierers, though she 
knew neither of them. The conductor looked into, the driver 
looked back upon the scene — so feelingly every one asked the 
ages of the martyrs. God bless a community which can so 
sympathize with sorrow. Said a father: "Ask the superinten- 
dent of the Sunday School, if money will be taken in lieu of 
the books they received ? I wish to retain them. Every thing 
which they last touched is sacred — we must keep it till we join 
them in heaven." " What hymn,'' asked the mother," did you 
sing last Sunday, it so pleased my girls. They promised to 
bring their books home next Sunday and show it me. Tiut 

poor things — they little thought" here she tilled up. 

But here is the Hymn 677 : 

•' High in yonder realms of light, 
Dwell the raptured saints above ; 
Far beyond our feeble sight, 
Happy in Immanuel's love. 

Pilgrims in this vale of tears, 
Once they knew, like us below. 
Gloomy doubts, distressing fears, 
Torturing pain, and heavy woe. 

Oft the big unbidden tear, 
Stealing down the furrowed cheek. 
Told, in eloquence sincere, 
Tales of woe they could not speak. 

But these days of weeping o'er, 
Past this scene of toil and pain. 
They shall feel distress no more. 
Never, never, weep again. 



11 

Mid the chorus of the skies, 
Mid the angelic choirs above, 
Hark ! their songs melodious rise, 
Songs of praise to Jesus' love. 

Happy spirits! ye are fled, 
Where no grief can entrance find ; 
Lulled to rest the aching head, 
Soothed the anguish of the mind. 

All is tranquil, and serene, 
Calm and undisturbed repose ; 
There no cloud can intervene, 
There no angry tempest blows. 

Every tear is wiped away, 
Sighs no more shall heave the breast ; 
Night is lost in endless day, 
Sorrow in eternal rest." 

This bymn will be sung to the praise of God at the close of 
the services, its selection being a tribute to the memory of 
David Gilleland, Agnes and Mary Davidson— who all united 
with us in singing it the Sabbath before they were called to 
the choir above. * 

As soon as the community recovered somewhat from the 
stunning blow, arose the questions, How did it happen ? Is 
any one to blame? Might it have been prevented? The efforts 
to answer these questions were unparalleled in the history of 
this region. Public meetings and private investigations— dis- 
cussions by the press — a coroner's jury, with amazing perse- 
verance and research — all combined, calling for light. From 
the fact that no one shrank from investigation, w^e most cer- 
tainly believe that no one willfully committed the deed. But the 
road before the building was stony. Powder was hauled in 
great quantities in wagons. Even powder barrels may be 
leaky. The shop was swept out — ^^sometimes loose powder 
among the dust. Familiarity breeds contempt of danger. All 
these are facts. So it is also true, that visitors have been long 
excluded from the shops — that the laboratory was guarded 
by stringent rules. Respecting the living — agents and em- 
ployees — we say not one word, except that from the highest to 



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12 014 365 188 5 % 

the lowest, we believe every one of them utterly incapable of 
doing the deed purposely. The rigi'd examination will discover 
what amount of carelessness, or want of forethought, there ex- 
isted, and determine the innocence or culpability of those in 
charge. 

" Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord 
doth come." So live, that whether your call shall come sud- 
denly or find you waiting, you may hear the welcome plaudit, 
♦'"Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of 
thy Lord." 



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014 365 188 5 



